Fireproof-floor construction



Feb. 3, 925.

D. F. STOCKBRIDGE FIREPROOF' FLOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 6. 1921 Patented Feb. 3, 1925.

DAVID F. STOCKB'RIDGE,

1,525,256 ric vor LANSING, MICHIGAN rIRnPRoor-rtooa ooNsTRircTIoN.

applicaticm inea 'Augen 6, i521. serial No. 'fieogi'ea struction of the type in vwhich hollow tile blocks are employed. It is cnstomary in building Vfloors of 1this type to lay the tile blocks end to end from 'oneside wall or ysupport -to the other7 withreinforced con crete beams extending 'at each si'de 'of each row of blocks. This constrnc'tion requires Athat the beams be `rplaced Amuch nearer together than is otherwise necessary yor l'desii-able7 and places the blbci's in a very poor position to; resist strains7 as a. tile block with length"wise reinforcing ribs has great strength against a crosswise breaking force, but is comparatively weak against a force acting along a longitudinal line thereof.

It is the object of my invention to provide a reinforced fire-proof floor in which the tile blocks are positioned to utilize their full strength, and in which the concrete and reinforcing material are used to the best advantage.

lVith this general object in view, my invcntion consists in part in providing a lireproof floor in which the tile blocks extend lengthwise from beam to beam7 with the ends thereof preferably partially embedded in the sides of the adjacent beams.

My invention further relates to arrangemen-ts and combinations of parts which Will be hereinafter described and more particnlary pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of my invention is shown in the drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved floor construction, partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation lengthwise of the tile blocks, taken along the line 2--2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation taken along the line 3 3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional detail view; anc

Fig. 6 is a similar detail view of a portion of the finished structure.

Referringto the drawings, lhave shown a fire-proof floor comprising concrete `beams 10 'and *tile blocks 11 extending 'lengthwise between the beams 10.

Tn Figs. 1 to the floor is shown in process of construction with the supporting frame or false 4work 12 still fin position.

"The tile blocks l1 are of the usual type and are areferabl rovided with verticall en- 'tending ribs o rpa'rti'tions 13 'and a horizon- Ytal partition 111-. Such tile are commonly 'madeb-y'forcing the clay or othermaterial throu'glr'a die and may thus be formed in any 'desired length.

AIn `constructing my improved floor, the tile blocks 10 are supported upon suitable false work 12,Kand reinforcing lrods are preferably positioned between the ends of the blocks. Preferablyalso asheet lof expanded'metal 'lather 'other similar material 1'6" is placed 'over the ends cf 'the tile blocks. This metal lath 16 may be secured in position by nails or other fastening devices 17 extending into the support 12 as shown in Fig. 5. The nails prevent displacement of the metal sheet 16 and also prevent the concrete from Working under the ends of the tile blocks.

lVhen the parts are thus duly positioned. semi-liquid concrete is poured into the spaces between the ends of the tiles to form the beams 10 and is also placed above the tile to form the tread surface 18. The eX- panded metal 16 is naturally forced into the end openings of the tile block to a certain extent, as shown in Figs. 5 and G, by the tamping of the concrete between the surfaces of metal. A certain small amount of the concrete also flows through the mesh of the fabric and adheres to the end portions of the tile block. The block is thus em-y bedded firmly in the sides of the adjacent beams and is very securely supported thereby.

After the concrete has hardened. the supporting structure 12 is` removed and the nails or fastening devices 17 may be bent up as shown in Fig. (3 to support the plaster o1` other finish 2O which may form the under surface of the floor.

Having thus described my construction.. it will be seen that I have provided a combination of tile blocks and reinforced concrete beams7 in which the material is utilized to its greatest advantage. The length of the. tile and. the spacing of the beams may be varied to suit the dimensions and load conditions of any particular floor, and the size of the reinforcing rods 15 may be correspondingly varied. It can be demonstrated that a hollow tile block so supported that both ends are firmly embedded in concrete throughout their height Will sustain much greater load than When merely supported under the opposite ends.

My improved construction also effect-s a great reduction in the amount of material used in the temporary forms or supports for the floor. My construction requires merely a single plank or board under each concrete beam, Wide enough to support the ends of the blocks, While the usual construction requires support over substantially its entire lower surface.

It Will be further evident that changes and modifications can be made in my improved loor construction by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the claims` and I do not Wish to be otherwise limited to the details herein disclosed, but What I claim is l. A fire-proof floor comp-rising spaced concrete beams, a plurality of hollow tile blocks positioned side by side and closely adjacent, each extending lengthwise from beam to beam and each having its open ends abutting the sides of adjacent beams and partially embedded therein but substantially separated thereby, a tread surface overlying said beams and blocks, and a continuous sheet of open-mesh fabric covering the open ends of a plurality of adjacent blocks and limiting the iiovv of fresh concrete into the ends of said blocks, said fabric also forming a longitudinal reinforcement for said beam and preventing lateral displacement of adjacent blocks- 2 A fire-proof Hoor comprising spaced reinforced concrete beams, a plurality of hollow tile blocks, each extending lenthWise from beam to beam and each having its open ends abutting the sides of adjacent beams and partially embedded therein, a tread surface overlying said beams and blocks, an

open-mesh fabric covering the ends of said blocks, and fastening devices for holding said fabric and blocks in position, said fastening devices extending below said blocks and having their lower ends bent to engage and hold a coating of finishing material to the under side of the floor.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aiiixed my signature:

DAVID F. STOCKBRlDGE. 

